Xiaomi reveals foldable phone prototype: Is this the cheap one we've been waiting for?

After years in development, it seems like 2019 will finally play host to commercially available foldable phones, as Samsung and others quickly progress in the sector. Now, Xiaomi has shown off its take on the foldable phone, albeit in prototype form.

Xiaomi spokesperson Donovan Sung posted a video to Twitter, showing co-founder Bin Lin playing with a prototype foldable phone. The executive also asked users to come up with a name for the new device.

The Xiaomi foldable phone seems to match the device posted by serial leaker Evan Blass earlier this month. So that means you’ve got a tablet with a dual-folding mechanism, allowing the sides to fold backwards. You’re left with a smaller screen once the sides are folded away, although the aspect ratio is definitely a little unconventional.

Nevertheless, this still seems like an interesting take on the foldable device, as it doesn’t require a smaller outside screen like Samsung’s Galaxy F foldable device. Hopefully the Xiaomi foldable phone is still an ergonomic one, despite the odd aspect ratio. But it definitely seems more polished than the Royole FlexPai, which has a massive top bezel, along with a rather ugly hinge.

The fact that this is a prototype means we’re probably months away from a launch, but we do wonder how much this device will actually cost when it’s eventually released. Between the folding mechanisms, flexible display, and other essential components, it’s clear that this isn’t your average Xiaomi device. So we’d expect the foldable to be more expensive than your Mi series flagship — but just how much more remains to be seen.

What do you make of the Xiaomi foldable phone? Give us your thoughts in the comments below.

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